DA.C - View Single Post

DeltaFlot · 03-31-2002, 02:41 PM

Swiss airline takes off
March 31, 2002 Posted: 5:41 AM EST (1041 GMT)

ZURICH, Switzerland -- Switzerland's new airline took off on Sunday replacing the debt-ridden national carrier Swissair.

Swiss took to the skies having taken over viable medium- and long-haul routes from Swissair to complement the existing schedule of regional carrier Crossair.

Swissair collapsed under a mountain of debt last year in the aftermath of the September 11 suicide attacks which led to a downturn in international air travel.

The company was already weakened by a failed international expansion strategy and had been operating under court protection from creditors when Sept. 11 dealt a final blow to the company.

Swiss marked its arrival with a 15-minute flight from Basel to Zurich with a passenger list of senior managers on board the Jumbolino plane.

Its fleet of 130 aircraft will serve 126 destinations in 59 countries.

Chief Executive Andre Dose said last week Swiss was on track to break later this year.

Swissair transported more than 260 million passengers in its 71-year history but its meltdown stunned Switzerland

Thousands of passengers were stranded at Zurich's airport during a two-day grounding of the entire Swissair fleet when the carrier ran out of cash to pay for fuel and landing fees. The

government finally lent it the money to keep flying until now.

03-31-2002, 02:41 PM	#1
DeltaFlot The Patriot Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Laurel, MD Age: 36 Posts: 3,228	Swiss airline takes off Swiss airline takes off March 31, 2002 Posted: 5:41 AM EST (1041 GMT) ZURICH, Switzerland -- Switzerland's new airline took off on Sunday replacing the debt-ridden national carrier Swissair. Swiss took to the skies having taken over viable medium- and long-haul routes from Swissair to complement the existing schedule of regional carrier Crossair. Swissair collapsed under a mountain of debt last year in the aftermath of the September 11 suicide attacks which led to a downturn in international air travel. The company was already weakened by a failed international expansion strategy and had been operating under court protection from creditors when Sept. 11 dealt a final blow to the company. Swiss marked its arrival with a 15-minute flight from Basel to Zurich with a passenger list of senior managers on board the Jumbolino plane. Its fleet of 130 aircraft will serve 126 destinations in 59 countries. Chief Executive Andre Dose said last week Swiss was on track to break later this year. Swissair transported more than 260 million passengers in its 71-year history but its meltdown stunned Switzerland Thousands of passengers were stranded at Zurich's airport during a two-day grounding of the entire Swissair fleet when the carrier ran out of cash to pay for fuel and landing fees. The government finally lent it the money to keep flying until now. __________________ Febuary 15, 1898 December 7, 1941 June 8, 1967 September 11, 2001 Never Forget, Never Forgive If you kick the Tiger in the arse, you better be able to deal with the Tiger's teeth.